Legislator's latest remarks on bombings spark outrage

AUBURN - State Rep. Stella Tremblay, R-Auburn, has enraged both Democrats and Republicans - and just about everyone else for that matter - again after questioning Boston bombing victim and hero Jeff Bauman's injuries in a nationally syndicated radio show earlier this week.

During her interview, which was with California-based radio host Pete Santilli (click for link to the radio show), Tremblay questioned Bauman's reaction to losing both his legs in a widely circulated photo of his injuries following the blast.

"He was not in pain; he was not in shock. If I had had those type of injuries, I'd be screaming in agony," Tremblay said during her interview.

Tremblay's comments on Bauman, just as her previous comments on the Boston Marathon bombing, drew a harsh rebuke from both sides of the political aisle.

State GOP Chair Jennifer Horn called Tremblay's comments vile, and said that they crossed a line.

"There is no place for a person who would make such insensitive and abhorrent statements in the Republican Party or in New Hampshire State government. She is unfit to serve in public office, and as a result she has been banned from receiving any support from the New Hampshire Republican State Committee," Horn said.

However, Harrell Kirstein, spokesman for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said Horn's condemnation of Tremblay didn't go far enough.

"I do think that she should be asked to resign, it's past time. Her comments are chilling and vile and New Hampshire Republicans should ask for her to step down," Kirstein said.

Former state GOP Chair Steve Dupree posted on his Facebook page shortly after Tremblay's remarks on Bauman that she is a, "nutcase," and should resign immediately.

"She is a disgrace to not only the Republican Party of New Hampshire but to all decent people," Dupree said.

Fergus Cullen, also a former state GOP chair, responded to Dupree's Facebook post by saying, "Thanks for speaking publicly Steve. The crazies have been killing our brand and, until recently, too many GOP leaders in positions of responsibility were turning a deaf ear to it. This is a necessary first step toward re-earning trust from voters."

Bauman, who lives in Chelmsford, Mass., and works for the Costco in Nashua, has been hailed as a hero for insisting to talk to federal agents after the blast despite the severity of his injuries so that he could help them identify the suspects.

Tremblay initially made national headlines shortly after the bombings last month when she posted her opinions on the attack to commentator Glenn Beck's Facebook homepage.

"(The) Boston Marathon was a Black Ops 'terrorist' attack. One suspect killed, the other one will be too before they even have a chance to speak. Drones and now 'terrorist' attacks by our own Government. Sad day, but a 'wake up' to all of us. First there was a 'suspect' then there wasn't," When previously reached by the Union Leader, Tremblay said she has a First Amendment right to free speech just like anyone else and quoted Thomas Jefferson, saying, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."